Heidelberg Warnings Or Dangers

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Indeed, the English language is a strange one: a cobbler (shoe maker) and cobbles (stoney path) are so similar, yet most shoes really don't go well with cobbles.

As with most old European cities, Heidelberg is no exception to the wonderous and picturesque cobbled streets.
We have a saying in German: "Wer schoen sein will muss leiden" = "if you want to be pretty you must suffer".
And you feet will truly suffer for that certain sin called "vanity" if you don't wear the appropriate old-town footwear.

So leave your stiletto heels at home, because they may look fantastic, but you're probably also likely to break your ankles on your shopping trip!

Wear trainers or flat sandals. Don't worry if the shoes don't go with your new skirt, or look stupid with your stylish trousers: *Just-say-no* to your fancy heels and wear something that will let you walk that extra mile! "I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes" - Oprah Winfrey.

One would think that if you paved a path you would also remove the root. Instead the root is merely painted orange. Like you are going to notice what color the root is while deep in thought on the Philosophers Walk.

If you take children up to the cloister Stift Neuburg and visit the store, be prepared for some discussions about a new pet for the family: they sell rabbits there. When we were there there were baby rabbits for sale, so cute!

On a more serious note: There is an electric fan outside which is covered by a grid. The grid is large enough for small children to put their fingers through. We overheard some people talk about an accident some days before, when a small child had to be taken to hospital because part of his finger had been cut off by the blades of the fan.

You will not be the only visitor to Heidelberg.

It is a popular international attraction, so expect people from all over the globe.

Furthermore it's also a popular attraction for German school classes.

For some reason, which I haven't the faintest idea of, the administration of Heidelberg castle decided to open only one toilet facilities at one time.There are two different sets of facilities, but when the one in the cellar near the big barrel is open, the one near the main entrance is closed and vice versa. With the many, many tourists coming to see the castle each day, this mean long! lines. So you need to plan accordingly.

I wasn't sure if I should add this tip, as there are also very nice employees at the castle. But it happens so often, that it warrants a warning. I take American tourists to the castle quite often.

Just a few quotes of what some of the employees there said:
"Count yourself lucky that I let you go on the tour. You should have booked two weeks ago"
There were ten in our group and the website says no booking necessary if less than twenty.
"I don't care what it says on the website!"

"You are not allowed to translate!"
I had bought tickets for the English tour for Americans, why should I translate??
"I don't care , I just want to tell you, you are not allowed to translate!"

This is my favourite:
"I'm employed and paid by the castle to answer questions about the castle, not about the city of Heidelberg", when someone asked a question about the city.

The sad fact is, that there are so many tourists coming to the castle, that the employees can afford to be arrogant.
DON'T take it personal!!

And, most of them are nice, just be prepared.

If you have any choice, don't visit the castle in high season. Have a look at the picture, it's hard to see anything of the castle because of the many tour groups. The price for the guided tour is the same, no matter if you visit in hot July or in rainy November, but in November the tour can be 90 minutes, while in July and August you most probably get a hurried tour of just 45 minutes.

Heidelberg probably looks very beautiful in the daylight. I wouldn't really know. Instead, I picture it as pitch black with bright lights of revelry pouring forth from various inns and taverns. Just remember those three little words: Ein Bier, bitte.